Marcus J.V E.

Hernandez-BSA-1A Purposive Communication

Language Varieties in the Philippines

“Language variety also known as lect is a form of language or language cluster. This may include
Languages, Dialect, registers, styles, or other forms of language.”

Language
A language is a system of communication which consists of a set of sounds and written symbols which
are used by the people of a particular country or region for talking or writing.

Official Languages of the Philippines

The two official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and English. Filipino is the national language,
and the official status of English is a holdover from its time as a U.S. territory between the years of 1898
and 1946.

Filipino is the primary language used in school and media, and it’s also the lingua franca that unites the
nation’s disparate linguistic communities. You’ll mostly encounter English in government, newspapers
and magazines.

Filipino Vs. Tagalog

Are Filipino and Tagalog more or less the same language? Almost, but not quite. Filipino is an updated
version of Tagalog that includes elements of other native Philippine languages, as well as English,
Spanish, Malay and Chinese.

Due to its status at the time as the main language spoken in Manila, Tagalog became the national
language of the Philippines in 1937 when Congress voted to include a native language among the
officially recognized languages. Eventually, Tagalog was renamed Pilipino, and when the Constitution
was amended in 1973 under dictator President Ferdinand Marcos, Congress took steps to create a new
iteration of the language, which was to be known as Filipino. Filipino then gained official status in 1987.

The evolution of Pilipino into Filipino was part of Marcos’ efforts to create a “new society.” Part of this
meant incorporating elements of other languages, often by replacing Tagalog words deemed
“aesthetically unpleasing” with alternative words that sounded nicer. The letters f, j, c, x and z were added
to the alphabet, and the spellings of some words changed to better reflect how they’re pronounced.

Other Major Languages

The Philippines were under Spanish colonial rule for 300 years beginning in 1565, and during this time,
Spanish was the official language (and remained the lingua franca even after it lost its official status).
Spanish actually became an official language again, together with English, according to the Constitution
of 1935, but it was demoted to an “optional and voluntary language” in 1987.
There are also major regional languages spoken in the Philippines that include Aklanon, Basian, Bikol,
Cebuano, Chavacano (a Spanish-based creole), Hiligaynon, Ibanag, Ilocano, Ilonggo, Ivatan, Maranao,
Tagalog, Kapampangan, Kinaray-a, Waray, Maguindanao, Pangasinan, Sambal, Surigaonon, Tausug and
Yakan. These are all mostly indigenous languages belonging to the Austronesian language family.

Examples of language used in the Philippines.

• The Philippines has Sebwano, Ilokano, Hiligaynon, Waray, Bikol,

Finontok, Finallig, Mëranaw, Bahasa Sug, Yakan, Sinama, Kinamayu,

Itawit, Pangasinan, Kapampangan, Bolinaw, and many more

• Sebwano, a language spoken in 17 provinces, has approximately 20

Million first language speakers

• Arta, a language spoken by an indigenous group in the province of

Quirino, has 11 speakers

Dialect
• Interchangeably used with variety

• It refers to a part of the speech community that has a distinct feature

Or shibboleth that distinguishes them from the whole language

community

• Overtime, when dialects develop on their own, a time may come

when they can be distinguished as a separate language

Examples of dialects

Tagalog has dialects in itself. Some of those are grouped into these main dialect groups:

 Northern (Bulacan, other areas North of Manila)

 Central (Manila)
 Southern Tagalog (Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Quezon)
 Marinduque
Registers
Frozen or “static” register

At this level, language is literally “frozen” in time and form. It does not change. This type of language is
often learned and repeated by rote. Examples include biblical verse, prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance,
and so forth.

Formal register
This style is impersonal and often follows a prescriptive format. The speaker uses complete sentences,
avoids slang and may use technical or academic vocabulary. It is likely that the speaker will use fewer
contractions, but opt instead for complete words. (Example: “have not” instead of “haven’t”).

Writing expert Rita Mae Brown might argue that a writer or speaker is more likely to use vocabulary with
Latin or Greek roots at this register. For example, the writer of a scientific article may be more likely to
use the word “female” (Latin root) than “woman” (Anglo Saxon root).

This is the register used for most academic and scientific publishing.

Consultative register
This is the register used when consulting an expert such as a doctor. The language used is more precise.
The speaker is likely to address the expert by a title such as “Doctor”, “Mr.” or “Mrs.”.

Some sources say this register is the formal register used in conversation.

Casual register
This register is conversational in tone. It is the language used among and between friends. Words are
general, rather than technical. This register may include more slang and colloquialisms.

Rita Mae Brown might say that at this register, speakers are more likey to use vocabulary words with an
Anglo Saxon or Germanic root. Her book “Starting from Scratch: A Different Kind of Writers’ Manual”
has an impressive list of (pp. 63-65) English vocabulary words that have an Anglo-Saxon or Germanic
root, and their Latin root counterparts.

Intimate register
The language used by lovers. It is also the language used in sexual harassment. This is the most intimate
form of language. It is best avoided in public and professional situations.
Register examples in the Philippines

FROZEN REGISTER

-Lupang Hinirang

-Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas

-Panatang Makabayan

-Laws in the Philippines such as RA5186 Investment Incentives Act, RA 8353 Anti-Rape Act of 1997,
RA 11054 Bangsamoro Organic Law

-Leon Guinto Memorial College Inc. Hymn

FORMAL REGISTER

- Health advisories in TV Ads

- Business flyers and posters of Filipino Entrepreneurs
- Business Venture Paper
- Thesis Paper

CONSULTATIVE REGISTER

- Talking with dentists

- Talking with dermatologist
- Using various dating apps such as Omegle, Tinder etc..

CASUAL REGISTER

- Talking to a friend

INTIMATE REGISTER

- Discussion or communication between your parents

- Couples

Styles
Language style is defined as the choice of words used by a specific group of people when they speak.
An example of language style is bureaucratise, the words, jargon and abbreviations which are used by the
government.
Examples of language styles in the Philippines

- Jargons used by teachers, doctor, lawyers

- Gaylingos/bekiwords
- Jejemon
- Sign language used by differently abled people
- Language used by informal settlers

SOURCES

Definition of Language

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/language

Official Languages of The Philippines

https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/what-language-is-spoken-in-the-philippines

Definition of Dialect

https://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/UNGEGN/docs/Training/Manila/day%202/03_PELAGIO_Philippine
%20Languages%20and%20Dialects_KWF.pdf

Examples of Language

https://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/UNGEGN/docs/Training/Manila/day%202/03_PELAGIO_Philippine
%20Languages%20and%20Dialects_KWF.pdf

Examples of Dialect

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-dialects-of-the-Philippines

Registers

https://drsaraheaton.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/language-register-and-why-it-matters-or-why-you-
cant-write-an-academic-paper-in-gangsta-slang/

Definition of styles

https://www.yourdictionary.com/language-style#:~:text=Language%20style%20is%20defined%20as,are
%20used%20by%20the%20government.